Farmers will have the opportunity to learn more about how they can develop regenerative farming practices without compromising financial performance at an event taking place in the Vale of Glamorgan in June.
Regen’23, organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), is being hosted by Richard and Lynwen Anthony, and their son David, who have gradually adapting farm practices to reduce carbon emissions, improve soil health and cut reliance on manufactured fertiliser and crop protection products.
These changes and others amount to more than 66,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent sequestered annually.
After deducting emissions of 6,747t CO2e accrued mainly in the use of fuels and other activities, the farm has a carbon balance of -60,031t CO2e per annum, equivalent to -50t/ha/year CO2e.
Richard Anthony is keen to demonstrate to politicians that agriculture is part of the solution to climate change, not the problem.
“It’s time to stop hitting agriculture with a stick and show it the carrot,” said Mr Anthony.
Agriculture can help address the challenges presented by climate change while continuing to fulfil its primary purpose of food production, he said.
“Through policies that enable innovation, embrace technology and support farming, agriculture can be a climate champion and a food producer,” Mr Anthony added.
The family runs arable and sheep enterprises on 1,200 hectares (ha) across several holdings, making good use of cover crops to promote soil health. Digestate from a neighbouring anaerobic digester has resulted in the use of processed fertilisers to fall to nearly zero.
These changes have resulted in a six-year rotation involving nine separate crops on land that can grow maize, and a five-year rotation comprising six crops on heavier soils.
John Homfray, president of the RWAS, said the Glamorgan feature county event will showcase the best of Welsh agriculture and how progressive farming systems can position it for a strong future.
“We are in the midst of a new policy era where the focus is environmental sustainability and the creation of wildlife habitats. This event will shine a light on the practices of the future by demonstrating how a thriving arable operation can deliver a high-quality environment that benefits all of society,” said Mr Homfray.
Through tours across 242ha, working demonstrations and seminars, there will be the opportunity to explore how agriculture can be put at the centre of future policy while sustaining the industry for future generations, he added.
Regen ’23 will take place at Sealands Farm, St Brides Major, on Thursday, 8 June from 9.30am.
Source : WalesFarmer